The opportunity to test the Lexus Piranha prior to the Nationals to be held the following weekend at the new concrete surfaced (to half way at least) and all new bitumen Willownbank Raceway was too good to refuse along with fellow Team Capricorn supercharged outlaws new bird - Russell Mackay with the ex John Payne's split window corvette, powered by the almighty 500 cubic inch SAINTY engine we headed off with our hoard of helpers including Lionel Durre - Engine Improvements Rockhampton who we both could not do without the service of.

With a full crew including Noel Smith, Dave Ferricks, Lachlan Tree and James Bendell, we were very pleased with the performances on the day. It is basically a country track and it was only a test and tune with a minimal track prep and we did not get under way until close on 4.00 p.m. as the carbon fibre race seat which was supposed to arrive at 6.30 a.m. on the bus from Brisbane after being sent up after minor repairs by Ron Dormer on Friday did not arrive and it took about three hours for the bus company to track it down to find out it was still in Brisbane. Even though it had all the correct stickers for trans shipping etc and we even had them search the bus at the Matilda near Gympie and at Ilbilbie Roadhouse.

it was then a very expensive exercise to get 1.5 kilo of carbon fibre seat to Gladstone starting off with a $38.00 cab ride, then $168.00 airfare to Gladstone. Not bad for 1.5 kilos and someone else's mistake.

Our best run of the day, Nathan was off the gas at 1000 foot with the laundry out. Ran a supercharged outlaws qualifying 8.278 pass at only 136.78 MPH. Considering at the 8th Mile he was doing a 134 .328 MPH and we usually pick up 30MPH at the top end, we were pretty happy with it.

On the third run after another monster burn out which Nathan is getting the hang of now, he just keeps the pedal into it until he can not see anymore and then he eases off the throttle and rolled through the smoke. He unfortunately broke the bolts holding the barrel value on the hat but everyone was pleased to put in three runs in basically 1.5 hours.

Off to Willowbank next week to see how we go.